No, the scripts were designed so that all user input can be done by using a simple text file.

Can I run the scripts against a series of routers even if I have different passwords for each router?

Yes the scripts were developed to handle “real-world” environments like this.

What about if some of my routers are using TACACS and some are not?

Yes, this is easily handled.

Do I need to store my router passwords in a file?

The scripts have the option to read passwords from a file or to prompt the user to enter a password when the script is run. If password/login information is stored in a file, the passwords have the option to be encrypted. For “lab” type environments, passwords are typically not encrypted. For production environments, encrypting the passwords is strongly recommended.

How long does it take to run the scripts?

Very fast. An IOS Report for 100 routers would take approximately 3-5 minutes.

Can other types of Router Reports be produced other than the “canned” IOS report?

Absolutely, the foundation of the scripts was designed with this flexibility in mind. This would be accomplished by creating a new script. The development work is minimal because the framework for the scripts is all ready in place. This is an additional service offered by Net-Sense.

What other types of reports can be produced?

The output from any show command on a router/switch can be easily parsed. The relevant data is extracted and presented in a report format. The type of report is customized to your specific needs. Some examples include:

Inventory reports

Catalyst Switch “port inventory” reports

Routing Protocol Reports

Can I send configuration commands to one router or hundreds of routers?

Yes, very easily.

Is there a GUI interface to the scripts?

Yes, the scripts can be run through the GUI or by simply typing in the program name at the command prompt along with some simple options.

Are there any logs to check for errors after the scripts have run?

Yes there is a summary log file that gives a brief description if there were any errors. If needed, there is also a complete trace of the entire script for a detailed analysis.